Major city · United Kingdom
Cromford
Stay one night in Cromford only if you want the Derwent Valley mills and canal on foot; otherwise base in Matlock or Wirksworth and come for a half-day.
Cromford is a small Derbyshire village in the Derwent valley, 25 km north of Derby, with about 1,400 residents. It matters because Richard Arkwright built the first water-powered cotton spinning mill here in 1771, and the valley from Masson Mill to Derby's Silk Mill is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The village is compact and walkable, but the station sits about 1.2 km from the centre, so you need to plan the walk or a taxi. Most travellers see Cromford as a stop on the Derwent Valley Line between Derby and Matlock, or as a base for the High Peak Trail and the Peak District.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (short days, some attractions closed or reduced hours)
- Airports
- EMA · MAN
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Cromford999 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance999
- Police, fire, ambulance (EU number)112
- NHS non-urgent advice111
- Police non-urgent101
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Cromford, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyA quiet village and one of the safer places in Derbyshire.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police, fire, ambulance · 112 police, fire, ambulance (eu number) · 111 NHS non-urgent advice
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportEMA East Midlands (About 1 h by car to Cromford; trains from East Midlands Parkway to Derby, then the Derwent Valley Line).
- Getting aroundWalk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea in a café£2.50–4 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealPub main course£12–18 (≈ US$16–25)
- BeerPint of beer in a pub£4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi Matlock to Cromford£8–12 (≈ US$11–16)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week£6–12 (≈ US$8–16)
- Museum or sight ticketMill or museum entry£5–12 (≈ US$7–16)
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per room£110 (≈ US$150)
- Mid-range bedPub or hotel double room, a night, per room£110 (≈ US$150)
- High-end bedPub or hotel double room, a night, per room£180 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £55 (≈ US$75) · Mid £95 (≈ US$130) · High £160 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- EMA East Midlands (About 1 h by car to Cromford; trains from East Midlands Parkway to Derby, then the Derwent Valley Line) · MAN Manchester (About 1 h 15 min by car; direct trains Manchester to Derby, then change)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jul
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jan (13 rain days), driest Jun (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Cromford: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
13 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
11 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
12 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
11 rd
Jun
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
10 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
12 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
13 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk. The village is small and the mill, wharf, shops and pubs are within about 15 minutes of each other. The railway station is a level walk of roughly 1.2 km (15–20 min) from the centre. Buses on the A6 connect Cromford with Matlock, Bakewell, Buxton and Derby, roughly hourly in the daytime. A car helps for the High Peak Trail and the wider Peak District.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30 min
Derwent Valley Line train from Cromford, about 10 min
Matlock Bath has the riverside promenade and Heights of Abraham cable car; check seasonal opening.
Door to door: About 1 h
TransPeak or Trent Barton bus from the A6, about 40 min
Market town with the river, bridge and pudding shops; buses run roughly hourly in the daytime.
Door to door: About 1 h 15 min
TransPeak bus from the A6, about 1 h
Georgian spa town with the Crescent and Pavilion Gardens; a full half-day.
Door to door: About 50 min
Derwent Valley Line train from Cromford, about 35 min
Derby Silk Mill and the museum quarter; useful on a wet day.
Crich Tramway Village
cautionDoor to door: About 40 min
Bus or car toward Crich, about 20 min
National Tramway Museum; check opening days, which are limited outside summer.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Cromford village centre (Market Place and Scarthin)
Walk to the mill, canal wharf and pubs; the station is about 1.2 km (0.7 mi) away on a level walk.Walk to the mill, canal wharf and pubs; the station is about 0.7 mi (1.2 km) away on a level walk.
Matlock and Matlock Bath
More beds and restaurants, 10–15 min by train or bus up the valley; use it as a base and visit Cromford as a half-day.
Wirksworth
Quiet town on the bus route between Cromford and Bakewell; good for a car-based stay.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £45–70 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- £70–120 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- £120 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Pub or hotel double room1 × 1 night × £110 | £110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £95 | £190 |
| Derwent Valley Line, Derby to Cromford return2 × £8 | £16 |
| Day bus ticket on the A6 corridor2 × £8 | £16 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £8 | £16 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £35 |
| Trip total≈ £192 per person per day, bed included | £383≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in pounds; travel to Cromford excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea in a café | £2.50–4 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub main course | £12–18 (≈ US$16–25) |
| Cream tea or cake and a drink | £6–9 (≈ US$8–12) |
| Pint of beer in a pub | £4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Mill or museum entry | £5–12 (≈ US$7–16) |
| Taxi Matlock to Cromford | £8–12 (≈ US$11–16) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | £6–12 (≈ US$8–16) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The station is outside the village: allow 15–20 min on foot each way, and check the last train back if you are staying in Matlock.
- Some mill buildings are still being restored and opening hours change by season: check before you travel.
- The A6 through the village is a busy trunk road with narrow pavements in places.
- Mobile coverage is 4G only in this area; 5G has not reached the valley.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 999
- Police, fire, ambulance (EU number)
- 112
- NHS non-urgent advice
- 111
- Police non-urgent
- 101
Pocket card
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CromfordCromford
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance999
- EU emergency number112
- NHS non-urgent111
- Police non-urgent101
Embassy
No embassies in Cromford; the US Embassy is in London, and most countries have embassies in London. Consulates are in Manchester and Edinburgh.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Train Derby → Cromford, Derwent Valley Line: about £4–5 (≈ US$6–7) one way, about 35 min
- Bus Cromford → Matlock: about £3 (≈ US$4), 10–15 min
- Taxi Matlock → Cromford village: £8–12 (≈ US$11–16)
Say or show
- Excuse me / Sorry — Excuse me / Sorry
- Thank you — Thank you
- Please — Please
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet?
English is the only language you need here.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Cromford. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (short days, some attractions closed or reduced hours) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for EMA and MAN: last train from Derby to Cromford field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Market Place and Scarthin, the mill and canal wharf, High Peak Junction.
- Place pages with verified opening hours (Cromford Mill, Masson Mill, Scarthin Books) and eat pages with last orders.
- Wet-day and rail-strike fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialDerwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site
- officialCromford Mill
- officialMasson Mills
- officialPeak District National Park — High Peak Trail
- officialScarthin Books
- secondaryWikivoyage: Cromford, revision 4848201 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Cromford
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